PSY 350 Spring 2011 Page 1 of 5
PSY 350
ABNORMAL PSYCHOLOGY
SPRING 2011
Course Information
Title: Psy 350
Reference Number: 22542
Credit hours: 3
Time: Mon. & Wed. 2:00-3:15
Location: HH 214
Instructor Information
Name: Dr. Sawssan Ahmed
Phone: (858) 966-7703 ext. 2691
Office hours: by appointment
Email: sahmed@casrc.org
Course webpage:
https://blackboard.sdsu.edu/webapps/login
Note: This syllabus establishes rules and procedures for this course. Your decision to remain enrolled in
the class indicates that you agree to follow these rules.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
The overall goal of this class is to explore the meaning and nature of “abnormality.” We will
examine a wide range of psychopathology as well as the theoretical models that delineate factors
contributing to its onset and maintenance. We will then explore assessment techniques, diagnostic
criteria and the treatment of mental disorders. This course is designed to familiarize students with
the major concepts, theoretical perspectives and empirical findings in abnormal psychology. The
course will include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
The history and definition of mental illness
Assessment and classification of psychological disorders
Different theoretical perspectives on psychological disorders
Research methods employed in the study of psychological disorders
Causes and symptoms of various psychological disorders
Current approaches to treating psychological disorders
Discussing the effects of societal perceptions (and misperceptions) of
psychopathology
COURSE OBJECTIVES
After completing this course students will be able to:
1. Gain basic knowledge of the major psychological disorders as currently defined in
the field, including the primary symptoms, etiological theories, and treatment
approaches associated with each disorder.
2. Learn the primary methods used to define, assess, and conceptualize
psychopathology.
3. Consider the effects of societal perceptions (and misperceptions) of
psychopathology.
REQUIRED TEXT
Kring, Ann M., Johnson, S.L., Davison, Gerald C., Neale, John M. (2004). Abnormal
Psychology, 11th Edition. New York: Wiley.
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PSY 350 Spring 2011 Page 2 of 5
COURSE STRUCTURE
Lectures
Lecture will elaborate on the major aspects of the chapter readings, and will incorporate a
discussion of your thoughts and ideas on the topics covered.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
Your grade will be based on three NON-cumulative midterm exams and one NON-cumulative
final exam. Your lowest midterm grade will be dropped. There will also be extra-credit
opportunities (described below):
YOU MUST BRING A SCANTRON FORM AND #2 PENCIL FOR EACH EXAM; THESE
CANNOT BE PROVIDED FOR YOU. THE REQUIRED FORM IS “PARSCORE FORM #F288-PAR-L”.
YOU ARE REQUIRED TO BRING YOUR UNIVERSITY ID TO THE EXAM; YOUR
IDENTITY WILL BE CHECKED BEFORE YOU ARE ALLOWED TO TURN IN THE EXAM.
No other form of identification will be accepted.
1. Midterm Exams: At three time points during the semester, midterm exams will be given.
They will consist of multiple-choice questions. Midterm exams will not be cumulative; that
is, each test will cover only the material listed on the syllabus since the previous test.
Midterm exams will cover material from lectures, class discussion, and the assigned
readings, thus attendance and thoughtful consideration of class discussions is important
when taking exams.
All students should take the midterm exams at the date and time specified in the syllabus.
There will be no make-up exams. Your grade will be determined by averaging the grade
you earned from your two highest exam scores. That is, I will throw out your lowest exam
score when calculating your final grade. Thus, if you need to miss an exam because of
illness or other personal emergency, I will throw out the zero you earned on that exam when
calculating your final grade. Please use this option carefully, as there will be no make-up
exams.
2. Final Exam: There will be a NON-cumulative final exam given during the scheduled final
exam time (see Course Schedule for details). The final exam will consist of multiple-choice
questions. The final exam will cover material from lectures, class discussion, and the
assigned readings, similar to the midterms. All students should take the final exam at the
date and time specified in the syllabus. There will be no make-up final exam. If you miss
the final exam, you will earn a ZERO, which will be factored into your final grade.
Extra Credit
The instructor may give short extra credit quizzes in class without prior notice to assess students’
knowledge of the assigned reading. Therefore it is to your advantage to attend lecture regularly.
The instructor may also include extra credit items on the exams.
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PSY 350 Spring 2011 Page 3 of 5
GRADES
Your grade will be determined based upon a total of 1000 points.
1. Midterm Exam Score 1 (highest score)
2. Midterm Exam Score 2 (second highest score)
3. Final Exam Score
300 points (30%)
300 points (30%)
400 points (40%)
* 1000 points TOTAL
*This does not include any points gained from unannounced extra credit quizzes or extra credit
items on the exam.
Grading Scale
925 – 1000 points = A
924 – 895 points = A894 – 875 points = B+
874 – 825 points = B
824 – 795 points = B794 – 775 points = C+
774 – 725 points = C
724 – 695 points = C-
694 – 675 points = D+
674 – 625 points = D
624 – 595 points = DBelow 595 points = F
Students With Disabilities
Accommodations will be provided to students who receive disability services through the SDSU
Disabled Student Services Office. Contact the professor for further information or to ask questions.
Please make such requests during the first two weeks of class.
BLACKBOARD SITE FOR COURSE
Course documents such as lecture notes, handouts, and assignments will be posted on Blackboard.
Lecture notes will be posted on the Blackboard site the day before the lecture. You are expected to
check the Blackboard site located at https://blackboard.sdsu.edu/webapps/login regularly.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
At various times in the semester, it may be necessary to make changes in the course schedule,
reading assignments, or other aspects of the course. These changes will be announced in class and
posted on Blackboard. You will be responsible for all announcements whether or not you are
present in class. Students will be held responsible for all e-mail communication delivered via the
Blackboard system.
COURSE EXPECTATIONS & CLASSROOM COURTESY
Course requirements and the course calendar are listed below. It is expected that students will come
to class prepared and take steps to ensure they understand the material presented in lecture
(including taking lecture notes and asking questions during class).
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It is to your advantage to keep up with your reading assignments. You should have read the
assigned reading for a given lecture date at least once before attending that lecture. You will also
find it helpful to review your lecture notes prior to the upcoming lecture. Students are encouraged
to ask questions during lecture and to participate in classroom discussion..
Cell Phone Use. Out of courtesy to your instructor and your fellow classmates, please switch your
cell phone to “off” or “silent” mode when class is in session and refrain from texting. If you need
to answer a call (such as in an emergency), please exit the classroom before answering. Cell
phones must be “put away” with other personal items during exams. You will receive a zero on
your exam if you use any electronic device.
Conversations During Class: This is a large class and personal conversations, especially if there are
several taking place at one time, can be very distracting to others. Out of courtesy and respect for
your fellow classmates, please refrain from personal conversations during lectures, class
discussions, films, and exams. However, relevant questions during class and participation in class
discussions are strongly encouraged.
A NOTE ON DISHONESTY AND CHEATING
Academic honesty is vital to the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge in a University. One
example of academic dishonesty is plagiarism, which is defined at SDSU as “the act of
incorporating ideas, words, or specific substance of another, whether purchased, borrowed, or
otherwise obtained, and submitting same to the University as one’s own work to fulfill academic
requirements without giving credit to the appropriate source.” Plagiarism constitutes a violation of
the University Judicial Code. Another example is cheating on an exam or permitting another
student to cheat from your exam. Suspected academic dishonesty would be considered very
seriously and a report would be filed with the SDSU Office of Judicial Affairs. In the event of a
confirmed case of academic dishonesty, the student or students involved would not receive credit
for the assignment or exam, and their final course grade would additionally be lowered by at least
one full letter grade. Please make sure you are familiar with the University’s policies, and feel free
to ask me if you have any questions. You can refer to the University’s definition of plagiarism
(http://www.sa.sdsu.edu/htc/Plagiarism.pdf) or its policy on “Handling Cases of Suspected
Plagiarism.” Students are encouraged to speak to the professor if they are unclear about how to
accurately cite someone else’s work in their paper.
Cheating includes: using unauthorized materials of any kind during a test, exam, quiz, or on any
other assignment, viewing or copying information from another student (past or present, at this
University or any other institution). Verbal communication between students on test content is also
prohibited (this includes the use of electronic devices etc.). If you have questions during the
exam, you should only ask the instructor.
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PSY 350 Spring 2011 Page 5 of 5
Spring 2011 Course Schedule
This schedule is subject to change depending on how we as a class progress through the material.
Please see the course’s Blackboard site to keep up to date with any course changes.
Date
Day
Topic
Assigned Reading
1/19
Wednesday
Introduction
1/24
Monday
Historical Overview
Chapter 1
1/26
Wednesday
Current Paradigms
Chapter 2
1/31
Monday
Classification, Diagnosis & Assessment
Chapter 3
2/2
Wednesday
Classification, Diagnosis & Assessment
Chapter 3
2/7
Monday
Research Methods
Chapter 4
2/9
Wednesday
EXAM 1
2/14
Monday
Anxiety Disorders
Chapter 5
2/16
Wednesday
Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders
Chapter 6
2/21
Monday
Somatoform and Dissociative Disorders
Chapter 6
2/23
Wednesday
Stress & Health
Chapter 7
2/28
Monday
Mood Disorders
Chapter 8
3/2
Wednesday
Mood Disorders
Chapter 8
3/7
Monday
Catch up Day/Review
3/9
Wednesday
EXAM 2
3/14
Monday
Eating Disorders
Chapter 9
3/16
Wednesday
Substance-Related Disorders
Chapter 10
3/21
Monday
Substance-Related Disorders
Chapter 10
3/23
Wednesday
Schizophrenia
Chapter 11
4/4
Monday
NO CLASS
4/6
Wednesday
Personality Disorders
Chapter 12
4/11
Monday
Personality Disorders
Chapter 12
4/13
Wednesday
Catch up Day/Review
4/18
Monday
EXAM 3
4/20
Wednesday
Disorders of Childhood
Chapter 14
4/25
Monday
Disorders of Childhood
Chapter 14
4/27
Wednesday
Late Life & Psychological Disorders
Chapter 15
5/2
5/4
5/9
Monday
Wednesday
Monday
Psychological Treatment
Legal and Ethical Issues
Catch up Day/Review
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
5/18
Wednesday
FINAL EXAM: Wednesday, May 18, 1-3pm
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